Recipe: Parmesan, Pecan & Arugula Baskets

From Denny: These are delightful baskets made from Parmesan cheese to hold your salad and Brie cheese "egg." It's a bit of whimsy along with good eating! If you don't own a non-stick skillet (like me) you can use a Silpat sheet to melt the cheese.

From: Taste of Home, April/May 2009 issue

Serves 6.

Parmesan, Pecan & Arugula Baskets

Ingredients:

1 cup plus 2 tbls. shredded Parmesan cheese

2 tbls. finely chopped pecans

Salad:

4 cups fresh arugula or spring mix salad greens

1/2 cup red or green grapes, halved

3 tbls. chopped pecans, divided

2 tbls. olive oil

1 tbl. raspberry vinegar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

Soft brie cheese, optional

Directions:


1. Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons cheese and 1 teaspoon chopped pecans in a circle over the bottom of the skillet.

2. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until edges are golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from the heat and let stand for 30 seconds.

3. Using a spatula, carefully lift cheese mixture out of pan and immediately drape oven an inverted old-fashion-shaped glass that has a 2-inch diameter bottom; cool completely.

4. Repeat with remaining cheese and pecans, forming six baskets.

5. For salad, in a large bowl, combine the arugula, grapes and 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans. Whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; pour over arugula mixture and toss to coat. Place 1/2 cup salad in each basket.

6. If desired, shape a spoonful of soft brie cheese into a tiny egg shape and roll in remaining chopped pecans. Place “speckled brie egg” on top of salad in the Parmesan nest. Make an egg for each salad. Serve immediately.